MIDFLORIDA Credit Union buys Tampa amphitheater naming rights

First, it was Ford Amphitheatre. Then the widely mocked 1-800-ASK-GARY Amphitheatre, and for a short time, Live Nation Amphitheatre.

Now the Tampa venue at the Florida State Fairgrounds bears the name of MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre, after the Lakeland-based financial institution signed a three-year agreement with Live Nation for the rights. How much they paid for the deal was not disclosed at a press conference Wednesday on the amphitheater stage.

"We are truly excited about the opportunity to bring the best possible entertainment we can," said MIDFLORIDA President and CEO Kevin Jones. "We're looking forward to a long relationship with Live Nation."

MIDFLORIDA has nearly 40 branches in Central Florida, employing 700 people, with assets of more than $1.8 billion. MIDFLORIDA began in 1954 as a small teachers' credit union and today serves nearly 200,000 members.

The Tampa venue, which can seat up to 20,000 people, opened in 2004 as Ford Amphitheatre.